Square Enix
and Sunrise have revealed new details about As One, the upcoming anime film
that will serve as a prequel to the arcade video game Starwing Paradox. In a
special video, it was confirmed that Ruki Shiroiwa, a member of the musical
group JO1, will play the protagonist Yō, marking his voice acting debut.
Ruki
Shiroiwa Debuts as a Voice Actor in a Leading Role
Shiroiwa's
casting was no coincidence. The production team was impressed by
"Himawari" (Sunflower), a song composed and performed by the artist
himself as part of his solo project PlanJ. This artistic sensibility was key in
selecting him as the voice of Yō, a young man whose story will resonate both
emotionally and fantastically.
An original
story set decades before the game
As One will
offer a completely new narrative set 20 years before the events of the game.
The protagonist, Yō, is a high school student passionate about music but
limited by his parents' opposition and the growing distance from his band.
Everything changes when he hears a mysterious voice crying for help and is
enveloped by a blinding light.
Meanwhile,
on Meguriboshi, a planet immersed in a conflict over energy resources, two
rival nations reach a fragile truce. In this context, a mechanic named Rako
loses consciousness when faced with a space hazard and, at that moment, makes
contact with Yō.
A
high-caliber team for an ambitious production
The
director is Kobun Shizuno (known for multiple Detective Conan films), while
Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Evangelion, Summer Wars) returns as character designer. The
script is written by Shatner Nishida, Kana Matsui, and Masaya Honda, with Ippei
Gyōbu in charge of mechanical design. Animation is by Studio GOONEYS and Honoo.
The film is
scheduled for release in Japanese theaters on August 22, 2025 (local time).
The Game's
Legacy and Its Expanding Universe
Starwing
Paradox debuted in Japanese arcades in November 2018 and ended its service in
October 2021. With cabins simulating real cockpits, it offered battles for up
to 16 players divided into two teams, offering a uniquely immersive experience.
The game's
story takes place on Meguriboshi, a planet so distant that not even light from
Earth reaches it. There, the kingdoms of Kō Country A Slegga and Va Led Sei
Kingdom clash for control of a living energy known as Hoshinochi (Star Blood).
The battle is being fought between the Ae Rial, massive mechs that use the
Rearide system to unleash their full power by pairing up with highly
synchronized pilots… and that new bond with Earth seems about to emerge.
